4 Relaxed and Easy Ways to Eat Zespri™ Kiwifruit this Summer
Whilst the past couple of months have felt anything but ‘normal’, lockdown has thrown up some surprising benefits. For one, it’s given many of us more time to enjoy delicious and healthy food, free from the pressures of the daily commute. Home cooks have rediscovered the joys of preparing meals at different points in the day – no longer is dinner the only moment for creativity! By following the advice below, you too can ensure that there’s always a supply of fresh tasting Zespri™ kiwifruit close to hand when desire strikes. So sit back, relax, and take a moment or two to savour the slower pleasures in life…
1. Freeze the flavour for later
It’s not necessarily the first place we think of, but your freezer is actually a wonderfully convenient way to store a variety of fruit-based snacks. Both Zespri™ SunGold and Zespri™ Green kiwifruit freeze well, though it’s a good idea to choose fully ripe fruit for the process. Top tip? Sliced fruit freezes and thaws evenly, making it a great ready-made-snack with no fuss. You could also consider crushing your kiwifruit before freezing it – many chefs later use this to gently tenderize meat.
Did you know?
Not all kiwifruit are the same.
Zespri™ Green kiwifruit last longer on the shelf than Zespri™ SunGold kiwifruit, because they are not as soft and are better at handling room temperatures.
So if you are planning on freezing some fruit for later, why not try SunGold for a change?
2. Bottle up the nutrients
Zespri™ SunGold and Green kiwifruit make fantastic jams, jellies and preserves that are perfect for those sudden snack moments. You’ll want to crush and peel your kiwifruit beforehand, but then it’s up to you whether you create a stronger tasting frozen jam, or a slightly sweeter cooked jam. There are also many recipes for chutneys and jellies that taste great with a tangy Zespri™ Green kiwifruit or a tropical Zespri™ SunGold. Store your preserves in clear glass bottles – they are as relaxing to look at as they are to eat!
3. Dry out in the heat
Summer is the perfect moment to try your hand at some slow and satisfying fruit drying. Though you should avoid putting your kiwifruit in sunlight, the warm days make the drying process faster. Choose soft, ripe fruit that is peeled and thinly sliced. You can then leave this out on drying sheets until it has the desired snacking consistency. Pop the finished pieces in an airtight container and enjoy as you please. How convenient is that?
4. Break up the day
When you have kiwifruit in your kitchen, you’ve always got a delicious and tasty snack. Spending more time at home can trigger unhealthy eating habits, which is why it is a good idea to have plenty of nutritious options ready and waiting. Zespri™ Green and SunGold kiwifruit can be eaten at any time of the day, from breakfast through to a midnight feast. And don’t forget that they can also be added to smoothies and frozen drinks, which are the perfect pick-me-up on a hot summer’s day. Take a look at this recipe for SunGold/Green Granita guaranteed to make your healthy irresistible!
